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Overview

Visit the otherworldly dormant volcano Haleakala in a unique way with world-class stargazing after a stunning sunset with views of Maui, its nearby islands, and the Big Island of Hawaii. Low light pollution and an elevation of around 10,000 feet (usually above the clouds) create generally excellent conditions for viewing stars, constellations, planets, our moon, and deep space objects.

On this intimate tour with only 2-11 people, you will come away with a new appreciation for Maui and the Universe. With over two decades of astronomy experience, founder of the Maui Astronomy Club, and recipient of 2 NASA grants while working with Boeing Aerospace, your guide will describe the many features of the beautiful night sky which you will view with a high-powered telescope, binoculars, and your naked eye (with the guidance of her laser pointer). She will also enlighten you about the special connection between ancient Hawaiian culture and the night sky. You will be kept warm with coats, hats, face covers, gloves, hand warmers, and blankets, nourished with organic snacks and water, and will also receive a star map and chairs & mats for sitting/lying on. Please note that tour participants are responsible for their own transportation, and they should wear pants, socks, and shoes.

BOOKING TIP: Weather sometimes cancels the tour. It is highly recommended you book the earliest possible date during your trip so you have a better chance of being able to reschedule.

Traveler Ratings

TravelShack Customer rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

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Guidebook Reviews

Travel & Leisure Magazine:

The World’s Top 10 Stargazing Spots

Maui Revealed Guidebook:

This part of the island has green, rolling hills, cool mountain air, and a lump-in-your-throat crate, and it’s definitely worth visiting. Near the summit, the way the clouds race by, clawing at some of the nearby peak, you could be looking at Mt. Everest. The beauty is hard to describe, but it’s unlike any other place we’ve seen. Sharp contrasts, impossibly blue skies, and a myriad of colors, your eyes will be dining on a feast. The sunset can be fantastic and not nearly as crowded as a sunrise. Consider staying until past dark for one of the clearest views of the milky way you may ever see.

Lonely Planet Guidebook:

Hawaii’s Top 20: Haleakala National Park. To fully experience Maui — or at least peer into its soul — make your way to the summit of Haleakala. Getting to Haleakala is half the fun. Snaking up the mountain it’s sometimes hard to tell if you’re in an airplane or a car — all of Maui open up below you. Between the lunar-like landscape, the eerie quiet, stark lava, and rainbow-colored cinder cones, it’s impossible not to be awed by the raw beauty of Haleakala. Breathtaking views of the moonscape, and it’s a phenomenal sight like no other in the US national park system. The sunsets have inspired poets. Stargazing is phenomenal on the mountain. Free of light interference, one of the best places on the planet for a sky view.

Fodor's Guidebook:

From the Tropics to the Moon! Nowhere else on earth can you drive from sea level to 10,023 feet in only 38 miles. You’ll journey from lush, tropical-island landscape to the stark, moonlike basin of the volcano’s enormous, otherworldly crater and the breathtaking summit.

Moon Guidebook:

Skip the early morning wakeup call at 3 am for a sunrise trip and instead visit Haleakala for sunset. The crowds are smaller, it’s not as tough to find parking, it isn’t as cold, the view is spectacular, and the stars come out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Responsible Tourism

Owned and operated by a local individual who is a professional astronomer

Complies with National Park regulations regarding commercial tours

Terms and Conditions

Cancellation Policy

Full refunds until 24 hours prior to activity time

Partial refunds if cancel on same day as tour

Tax added at checkout

4.166% Hawaii sales tax (GET)

Restrictions

You should not scuba dive the day before or the same day as this tour, since it will cause altitude sickness.

On the day of the tour, you are contacted at 1 pm with a weather update. If the weather is inclement, you can reschedule or be issued a full refund. If the weather turns inclement during the tour, a 50% refund will be issued.

No smoking, alcohol, or pets permitted.

Children under the age of 7 are not recommended due to the high altitude.